NBA commissioner Adam Silver showed how to expertly handle a crisis

Adam Silver turned his first crisis as NBA commissioner into a personal triumph. Even better, he somehow turned the ugliest NBA incident since the Malice in the Palace into a unifying moment for the league.

The new commissioner arrived late for the press conference about Donald Sterling’s NBA future. He seemed nervous and out-of-breath when he laid out his case and unequivocally apologized for Sterling’s comments. But there was no hint of nerves or insecurity when he brought down the hammer.

“Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA.”

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

Silver’s statement was pitch perfect from the outset. He recited the facts against Sterling without prejudice. He held an extra beat after the apology and looked directly into the camera. He was forceful without being preachy. Each question was answered with brevity and no wiggle room. Every sentence concluded with authority. Silver was practically pronouncing the periods.

On whether Sterling would acquiesce to the punishment: “I have no idea.”

On whether someone should lose their team for comments made in private: “Whether or not these remarks were initially shared in private, they are now public and they represent his views.”

Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

On whether the Clippers players could be granted free agency after this season: “That is not something we are considering.”

On the possibility of Sterling continuing to own the team in absentia if the owners didn’t give a three-quarters vote to oust him: “I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners to remove him.”

The NBA needed strength and Silver brought it. There were hundreds of ways this could have gone terribly wrong and he was able to avoid each of them. His statement brought nearly universal support from all parties, something that would have been unimaginable on Saturday when TMZ first posted the damning recording.

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

Silver’s not out of the woods yet, of course. With potential lawsuits, grievances and mud-slinging, the Donald Sterling saga is far from over. His popularity will eventually wane, as all popularity eventually does.

For now, at least, Adam Silver is the most popular commissioner in sports. Adam Silver is the commissioner the NBA needed.

Adam Silver turned his first crisis as NBA commissioner into a personal triumph. Even better, he somehow turned the ugliest NBA (…)

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